_Maid._ Have not I got a crick in my back already, that will make me good for nothing, with lifting your great books?
_Clink._ Folio's, call them, and not great books, thou monster of impropriety: But have patience, and I will remember the three gallery-tickets I promis'd thee at my new tragedy.
_Maid._ I shall never get my head-cloaths clear-starch'd at this rate.
_Clink._ Thou destroyer of learning, thou worse than a book-worm; thou hast put me beyond all patience. Remember how my lyrick ode bound about a tallow-candle; thy wrapping up snuff in an epigram; nay, the unworthy usage of my hymn to Apollo, filthy creature! read me the last lines I writ upon the deluge, and take care to pronounce them as I taught you.
Swell'd with a dropsy, sickly nature lies, And melting in a diabetes, dies.
The roaring seas o'er the tall woods have broke, And whales now perch upon the sturdy oak.
Roaring? stay. Rumbling, roaring, rustling, no; raging seas.
The raging seas o'er the tall woods have broke, Now perch, thou whale, upon the sturdy oak.
Sturdy oak? no; steady, strong, strapping, stiff. Stiff? no, stiff is too short.
What feast for fish! Oh too luxurious treat! When hungry dolphins feed on butchers meat.
_Foss._ Niece, why niece, niece? oh, Melpomene, thou goddess of tragedy, suspend thy influence for a moment, and suffer my niece to give me a rational answer. This lady is a friend of mine; her present circumstances oblige her to take sanctuary in my house; treat her with the utmost civility. Let the tea-table be made ready.
_Clink._ Madam, excuse this absence of mind; my animal spirits had deserted the avenues of my senses, and retired to the recesses of the brain, to contemplate a beautiful idea. I could not force the vagrant creatures back again into their posts, to move those parts of the body that express civility.
_Town._ A rare affected creature this! if I mistake not, flattery will make her an useful tool for my purpose.
_Foss._ Her jewels, her strong box, and all her things left behind! if her uncle should discover her marriage, he may lay an embargo upon her goods.----I'll send for them.
_Foss._ Give it me, child. An honest boy. Give it me, and I'll deliver it myself. A very honest boy.